Of course the stories focus on the benefits to people of keeping bees. But we also know bees as great friends in the garden that pollinate our flowers, trees and vegetables. Our native bees, such as mason bees and bumblebees, are supplemented by imported European honeybees.

I love the artwork of these forthcoming stamps from the U.S. Postal Service. (OK, I don't love the 41 cent price, but what can you do?)

A lovely full-color four-stamp image by artist Steve Buchanan incorporates bees, a butterfly, a hummingbird and a bat, all busy transporting pollen to fertilize flowers including ironweed and trumpet vines. It’s a reminder of the important relationships between plants and animals in our natural areas and our gardens.

And a reminder: Spraying insecticides -– at anything, including cicadas -– can harm the many animals on which our plants depend.